Compressor blade leading edge shim and related method

Abstract

A method of improving an erosion resistance at the leading edge of a compressor blade includes: a) cleaning a leading edge portion of the compressor blade airfoil; and b) attaching one or more erosion or corrosion-resistant shims to the leading edge portion.

1 . A compressor blade comprising an airfoil portion and a mounting portion; the airfoil portion having leading and trailing edges, the leading edge having an erosion-resistant shim attached thereto. 
   
   
       2 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein said shim is comprised of a material selected from a group comprising TiN, Ti/TiN, TiN/CrN, NiCrWC. 
   
   
       3 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein the shim is composed at least in part of a composition selected from a group comprising Cr, Al or Ti-rich materials. 
   
   
       4 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein the shim is comprised of a metal coated with an erosion or corrosion resistant material. 
   
   
       5 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein said shim is attached by welding, brazing or soldering. 
   
   
       6 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein said shim is attached by adhesive. 
   
   
       7 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein said shim comprises plural shim segments. 
   
   
       8 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein said shim is between about 1 and about 25 mils thick. 
   
   
       9 . The compressor blade of  claim 1  wherein said shim is made of a polymeric material. 
   
   
       10 . The compressor blade of  claim 9  wherein said polymeric material comprises polypropylene. 
   
   
       11 . A method of improving an erosion/corrosion resistance at the leading edge portion of a compressor blade airfoil comprising:
 a) preparing the leading edge portion of the compressor blade airfoil; and   b) attaching one or more shims to said leading edge portion.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein step (a) is carried out by milling, shot-peening, grit blasting, vibratory finishing or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said shim said shim is comprised of a material selected from a group comprising TiN, Ti/TiN, TiN/CrN, NiCrWC. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the shim is composed at least in part of a composition selected from a Cr, Al or Ti-rich material. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the shim is comprised of a metal coated with an erosion or corrosion resistant material. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said shim is attached by welding, brazing or soldering. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said shim is attached by adhesive. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said shim is made of a polyurethane tape. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said shim is made of a polymeric material.